Plays with loads of feistiness and energy. Shows excellent offensive and two-way ability. Has excellent quickness and acceleration. Possesses nifty skills and instincts around an opposing net, and will even take a pounding in front of it.

Flaws:

Does battle inconsistency in terms of production. Over time he can also wear down with overuse, mainly because of his smallish stature. When he plays too much, he tends to start making mental mistakes. Injuries are increasingly problematic.

Career Potential:

Diminutive but savvy veteran scoring winger.

Career Honors & Awards

League

Honor

Description

NHL

Stanley Cup

2002-03 (New Jersey)

HE

Player of the Year

2000-01

HE

Rookie of the Year

1997-98

NCAA

East First All-American Team

2000-01, 1999-00, 1998-99

HE

First All-Star Team

2000-01, 1999-00, 1998-99

HE

Second All-Star Team

1997-98

NCAA

East Second All-American Team

1997-98

HE

All-Rookie Team

1997-98

Walter Brown Award

2000-01 (shared with Ty Conklin)

MTJHL

Player of the Year

1996-97

Movements & Injuries

2015

1/27/2015

Missed 13 games (upper body injury).

1/13/2015

Upper body injury, injured reserve.

2014

12/23/2014

Upper body injury, sidelined indefinitely.

7/01/2014

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres to a three-year contract.

2013

10/15/2013

Missed 1 game (personal reasons).

10/12/2013

Personal reasons, day-to-day.

5/09/2013

Missed the last 2 playoff games (biceps injury).

5/08/2013

Biceps injury, remainder of the playoffs.

5/07/2013

Biceps injury, day-to-day.

5/05/2013

Missed 1 game (upper body injury).

5/03/2013

Upper body injury, day-to-day.

2012

4/07/2012

Missed the last 40 regular season games (biceps injury).

1/14/2012

Biceps injury, injured reserve.

1/12/2012

Biceps injury, sidelined indefinitely.

1/07/2012

Missed 11 games (lower body injury).

2011

12/13/2011

Lower body injury, injured reserve.

12/10/2011

Arm injury, day-to-day.

2009

12/28/2009

Missed 21 games (broken left foot).

11/18/2009

Broken left foot, sidelined indefinitely.

11/14/2009

Lower body injury, day-to-day.

7/01/2009

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Montreal Canadiens to a four-year contract.

2008

11/12/2008

Missed 1 game (head injury).

11/09/2008

Head injury, day-to-day.

2007

4/08/2007

Missed 1 game (leg injury).

4/05/2007

Leg injury, day-to-day.

4/01/2007

Missed 11 games (groin).

3/16/2007

Groin, early April.

3/08/2007

Groin, day-to-day.

3/04/2007

Missed 8 games (groin).

2/15/2007

Groin, day-to-day.

2006

10/03/2006

Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the New Jersey Devils to a three-year contract.

2005

9/21/2005

Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the New Jersey Devils.

7/31/2005

New Jersey Devils tendered a qualifying offer.

1/03/2005

NHL lockout: Signed with the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Liga (Germany).

2004

3/20/2004

Missed 7 games (facial injury).

3/06/2004

Facial injury, day-to-day.

3/05/2004

Facial injury, left Friday's game.

2003

2/23/2003

Missed 3 games (ankle injury).

2/17/2003

Ankle injury, day-to-day.

2/15/2003

Missed 19 games (broken right leg).

2/04/2003

Broken right leg, day-to-day.

1/04/2003

Broken right leg, late January.

2002

12/19/2002

Missed 2 games (ankle injury).

12/14/2002

Ankle injury, day-to-day.

1/23/2002

Recalled from Albany (AHL).

1/04/2002

Assigned to Albany (AHL).

2001

12/28/2001

Recalled from Albany (AHL).

9/26/2001

Assigned to Albany (AHL).

Career Transactions

2014

7/01/2014

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres.

2009

7/01/2009

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Montreal Canadiens.

1998

6/27/1998

Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 3rd round (82nd overall) in 1998.

Player News

Canadiens winger Brian Gionta had a pair of goals in the, 4-3, loss to the Stars on Monday. | 03/23/2015 11:05 PM

News

Canadiens winger Brian Gionta had a pair of goals in the, 4-3, loss to the Stars on Monday.

sportsnetwork.com

Impact

Gionta had a nice night with seven shots on net, but he isn't really fantasy relevant. Gionta has nine goals and 15 assists in 60 games this season.

Brian Gionta leaves Habs with 'heavy heart' | 07/02/2014 10:35 AM

News

Brian Gionta said he's leaving the Montreal Canadiens with a "heavy heart."

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta served as the team's captain, but signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres. "It's not an easy thing to come to terms with, but we had to look to the future and we're excited about that," Gionta said. "But the last five years have been a huge part of our life and we're very lucky to have experienced it and very grateful for it." He had 18 goals and 40 points in 81 games in 2013-14.

Gionta signs with Sabres | 07/01/2014 1:19 PM

News

The Buffalo Sabres have signed fomer Montreal captain Brian Gionta to a three-year $12.75 million contract.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The deal comes with a no-movement clause for the firs two seasons and a limited no-trade clause for the third campaign. Gionta will bring leadership to a young Sabres' squad and will join Josh Gorges in Buffalo. Look for Gionta to play a second or third-line role which will limit his fantasy value and will make him marginal hockey pool pick.

Sabres interested in signing Brian Gionta | 07/01/2014 8:31 AM

News

The Buffalo Sabres are interested in signing Brian Gionta once he becomes an unrestricted free agent Tuesday afternoon.

Buffalo News

Impact

It appears that the interest in mutual. Although the Sabres aren't likely to compete for a playoff spot in the near future, they do want some veteran talent to help guide their young players and they think Gionta would be a good fit for that role.

Brian Gionta may want to stay in Montreal | 06/21/2014 12:49 PM

News

Brian Gionta doesn't have a "strong inclination to leave" Montreal to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent.

Craig Custance on Twitter

Impact

According to ESPN's Craig Custance, Gionta will speak with his agent, Steve Bartlett, shortly to plan his future.

Canadiens, Gionta's talks are getting serious | 06/18/2014 6:00 PM

News

The Montreal Canadiens contract negotiations with Brian Gionta have gotten serious over the last couple of days.

The Bergen Record

Impact

Montreal is hoping to re-sign Gionta before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Canadiens captain had 18 goals and 40 points in 81 games in 2013-14.

GM Bergevin hopes to re-sign Brian Gionta | 06/02/2014 12:47 PM

News

Montreal GM Marc Bergevin hopes to retain the services of Brian Gionta heading into next season.

Renaud Lavoie on Twitter

Impact

Gionta has already expressed his preference to stay with the Canadiens. The Montreal captain can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He generated 18 goals and 40 points in 81 games during the regular season.

Brian Gionta wants to remain with Canadiens | 05/31/2014 9:28 PM

News

Brian Gionta has yet to talk to the Canadiens about a new deal, but says he wants to remain in Montreal.

NHL.com

Impact

The 35-year-old captain is an unrestricted free agent after finishing out a five-year, $25 million contract. "We love it here," Gionta said. "My family's been here for a while. We love the city. We love the team and believe in the team and the direction of the team, so we'll leave it up to [Bergevin] and my agent to take care of it. . Nothing's been discussed. We have a mutual respect for each other and I'm sure we'll get together soon." Gionta had 18 goals and 40 points during the regular season, with seven more points in the playoffs.

Brian Gionta stays upbeat despite deficit | 05/27/2014 10:41 AM

News

Brian Gionta is trying to stay positive despite a 3-1 series deficit against the New York Rangers.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

"It's a challenge, but this isn't something that can't be done," Gionta said, invoking the power of the double negative. Montreal has overcome a 3-1 series deficit twice over the last 10 years. The most recent example was in 2010 when Montreal was down 3-1 to Washington in the first round. Gionta said the guys that played through that series remember the feelings, but the situation is somewhat different. In 2010, goaltender Jaroslav Halak really carried Montreal though that comeback, stopping an unreal 131 of 134 shots in just three contests - none of which went to overtime. Rookie Dustin Tokarski has been fine in Carey Price's absence, but it would be a bit much to ask for him to lead the team in the same way Halak did.

Brian Gionta skates on second line Wednesday | 05/22/2014 10:02 AM

News

Brian Gionta moved up to Montreal's second line at practice on Wednesday.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He skated with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk after Thomas Vanek was bumped down to the fourth line. It's unclear if he will head into Game 3 on Thursday night on that combination. Gionta has a goal and four assists in 13 playoff contests.

Brian Gionta picks up fourth assist | 05/18/2014 9:25 AM

News

Brian Gionta set up Rene Bourque for the Canadiens first goal of the game Saturday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The goal cut the Rangers lead in half but two late second period goals gave New York a 4-1 lead going into the third period and it was all over. Gionta has four assists in the post-season to go with one goal so if you picked him very late in a deep draft, he has been quite good for your fantasy team.

Canadiens can't afford to get overconfident | 04/20/2014 10:46 AM

News

Montreal captain Brian Gionta knows that the team can't get too comfortable with its 2-0 series lead.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

The Canadiens won both games against the Lightning in Tampa Bay. "It's huge," Canadiens captain Brian Gionta said. "But at the end of the day we fell into that trap against Boston a few years back. We won two games in (the Bruins') building and we came back and let off the gas a bit. So we need to make sure that (Sunday) night is our focus. And we've got to do the things that have made us successful in the first two games and make sure we stick with that." Winning on Sunday would force Tampa Bay to try and pull off the nearly impossible task of overcoming a 3-0 series deficit. As it is, the Lightning in a very bad spot going forward.

Devils might wish to bring back Brian Gionta | 04/19/2014 11:33 AM

News

If Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello remains true to form, he just might inquire about bringing right winger Brian Gionta back to New Jersey, according to The Star-Ledger.

Newark Star-Ledger

Impact

Lamoriello said despite the organization's reputation for thinking defense first, he'd like goal-scorers who could fit into the system. "I don't think we've ever not thought about offensive players," Lamoriello said. "They also have to be able to do other things. All the players we added last year were basically offensive players.(Ryane) Clowe had a certain niche and made other people taller. (Michael) Ryder and (Damien) Brunner had a history as scorers. And with (Jaromir) Jagr you saw what we got. . . ." Gionta, 35, is captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Although his offensive numbers declined this season (18 goals, 22 assists in 81 games), he is still regarded as a potential 25-goal scorer. The Habs would like to retain Gionta, who is an unrestricted free agent July 1 but he'd have to take less than the $5-million they paid him this season. The Devils have the perfect recruiter in Gionta's younger brother, Stephen, who says he'd be willing to get into Brian's ear.

Brian Gionta records SHG, assist in Game 1 | 04/17/2014 10:43 AM

News

Brian Gionta notched a goal and an assist in Wednesday's overtime win against Tampa Bay.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He scored a shorthanded marker in the second and added an assist in the third of Game 1's sea-saw battle. Gionta concluded the match with four shots and a plus-1 rating.

Canadiens' captain nets dramatic winning goal | 04/12/2014 10:27 PM

News

Brian Gionta scored the game's only goal on a penalty shot with 2:04 to play in overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a dramatic, 1-0 victory against the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The Canadiens' captain grabbed a Raphael Diaz turnover at the Montreal blue line and was on his way to break in alone when Diaz hauled him down from behind, earning Gionta a penalty shot. Gionta came in, faked to his forehand and deked to his backhand to beat Rangers goaltender Cam Talbot. It was Gionta's 40th point of the season. He's the eighth Montreal player to hit that mark this season. It also was his 18th goal of the season.

Gionta wins strange team award | 04/12/2014 10:55 AM

News

Brian Gionta was selected as the winner of the Jacques Beauchamp award.

Hockey Inside/Out

Impact

The award is anually given to the Canadiens player who played a dominant role during the regular season without earning any particular honour. Last season Brandon Prust won the award. Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec also received consideration for this season's honor.

Brian Gionta gets two goals to lead Habs | 04/05/2014 11:04 PM

News

Brian Gionta lit the lamp twice for the Canadiens in their 5-3 win over the Red Wings on Saturday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Gionta continues to be a solid producer, even at 35. He isn't going to carry the Canadiens offensively, but he can chip in and provide some secondary scoring. He has 17 goals and 39 points this season. Michael Bournival, Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk picked up the other markers. Jarred Tinordi and Lars Eller assisted twice.

Brian Gionta has a two-point game | 03/16/2014 10:59 AM

News

Brian Gionta had a goal and an assist in Montreal's 5-4 overtime win on Saturday.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta now has 14 goals and 33 points in 67 games this season. That's a far cry from the numbers he put up at his height, but not surprising at this point.

Brian Gionta scores lone Habs goal in loss | 02/26/2014 10:28 PM

News

Brian Gionta's goal was the lone marker for the Canadiens in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Red Wings on Wednesday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Gionta tied the game at 1-1 with a goal in the final minute, but the Habs ceded an overtime tally to Gustav Nyquist late in the extra frame. Daniel Briere and Andrei Markov picked up helpers on Gionta's tally.

Gionta nets goal in final game before break | 02/09/2014 10:39 AM

News

Brian Gionta scored a goal in Montreal's 4-1 victory on Saturday.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta had four points in his final six contests before the Olympic break. He's been living up to expectations this season with 11 goals and 29 points in 58 contests.

Gionta was set up by Tomas Pleckanec and Andrei Markov, and scored his 10th goal of the season.

Brian Gionta collects an assist vs Lightning | 02/02/2014 10:11 AM

News

Brian Gionta had an assist in Montreal's 2-1 overtime defeat against Tampa Bay.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta has nine goals and 27 points in 54 contests in 2013-14. That's around where we expected him to be this season, so naturally we expect him to more-or-less maintain his current pace.

We can be a very average team: Habs' captain | 01/20/2014 9:43 AM

News

This is how Montreal captain Brian Gionta sums up his Canadiens:

Montreal Gazette

Impact

"When we play at the top of our game, we can play with any team in the league, but when we're not at our best we're a very average team."

Brian Gionta nets GWG Monday night | 01/07/2014 9:09 AM

News

Brian Gionta scored for a second straight game to give Montreal a 2-1 victory over Florida Monday night.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He has racked up nine shots in his last two contests, which helped him snap a 13-game goalless drought. The Montreal captain has seven goals and 22 points in 43 matches.

B. Gionta ended lengthy goal drought Saturday | 01/06/2014 10:35 AM

News

Brian Gionta found the back of the net for the first time since Dec. 4 in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He had gone 13 straight games without scoring a goal going into the contest, while chipping just five assists over that time. Gionta has six goals and 21 points in 42 matches.

Brian Gionta nets two points in SO win | 12/04/2013 11:42 PM

News

Brian Gionta picked up a goal and an assist for the Habs Wednesday as they edged the Devils in a shootout by a score of 4-3.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The tally is just the fifth of the campaign for the veteran, who is no more than a secondary option for Montreal. The Canadiens also received contributions from David Desharnais and Lars Eller on the victory.

Brian Gionta records 2 points Thursday | 10/25/2013 8:46 AM

News

Brian Gionta notched a goal and a helper Thursday in a 4-1 victory over Anaheim.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He has scored a goal in each of his last two games to give him three on the year and six points in nine contests. Gionta potted his goal during a 5-on-3 power play.

Brian Gionta will return to action Tuesday | 10/15/2013 10:22 AM

News

Brian Gionta (personal) will be back in the lineup Tuesday versus Winnipeg.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He didn't play Saturday in Vancouver, but rejoined his teammates on their road trip on Sunday. One of his sons has been sick in Montreal so it resulted in some extra travel for the Montreal forward this week. "It wasn't a life-threatening situation but it's scary when you have four or five doctors at the bedside trying to determine what's wrong," said Gionta. He will play on a line with Lars Eller and Max Pacioretty.

Brian Gionta out Saturday for family reasons | 10/12/2013 11:16 AM

News

Brian Gionta will not play Saturday night in Vancouver against the Canucks as he has returned to Monreal for family reasons.

Canadiens.com

Impact

We send him and his family our best wishes. Both Ryan White and Michael Bournival are expected to dress to pick up the slack due to Gionta's absence.

Brian Gionta joins teammates, set to play | 10/09/2013 7:32 AM

News

Brian Gionta joined his teammates on Tuesday after staying behind to attend to a family matter.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

The Canadiens begin a four-game road trip through Western Canada on Wednesday night. Gionta will be in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against Calgary.

B. Gionta (personal) doesn't travel with Habs | 10/07/2013 6:55 PM

News

Brian Gionta didn't travel with the Canadiens Monday for family reasons.

Louis Jean on Twitter

Impact

Still, he's expected to rejoin his teammates and play in Wednesday's game versus Calgary. Gionta has a goal and an assist in two games this season.

Brian Gionta will suit up Thursday | 09/25/2013 7:50 AM

News

Brian Gionta will make his preseason debut Thursday.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He will play on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque against Ottawa. Gionta got clearance to resume contact drills last week, but the Canadiens gave him some extra time off after he recovered from bicep surgery.

Gionta (arm) can take part in contact drills | 09/18/2013 2:59 PM

News

Brian Gionta (arm) has been given the green light to participate in contact drills.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta took part in Wednesday's practice. He had 14 goals and 26 points in 48 games with the Canadiens in 2013.

Brian Gionta skates but unable to practice | 09/14/2013 7:25 AM

News

Brian Gionta skated with the Canadiens but is still unavailable for practice due to off-season bicep surgery.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

Gionta suffered the injury during the first round of the playoffs. His return for the start of the season is still up in the air. He had 14 goals and 26 points in 48 games last season. Gionta is in the final year of a five-year/$25 million contract his signed in 2009. Look for 20 goals and 40-45 points from the winger.

Habs' Gionta may not be set for season opener | 09/03/2013 12:01 PM

News

Brian Gionta may not be ready for the start of the regular season, as he is still rehabbing from surgery on his left biceps tendon.

TSN.ca

Impact

"It's possible that Gio might not be ready to start the season but he'll be ready not too long after," GM Marc Bergevin said. Montreal's captain has one year left on his current contract. Gionta registered 14 goals and 26 points in 48 games last season.

Brian Gionta not sweating contract talks | 05/30/2013 10:42 AM

News

Brian Gionta isn't concerned that he has one year left on his current contract and there haven't been any discussions on an extension yet.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

"How I've always dealt with it, including the last years of my deal in New Jersey, is I just go out and play," Gionta said. "I don't worry about it, I let my agent take care of it. That's just my personality. I'm not the guy who's going to get caught up in stuff and worry about it. Things work out for a reason. They happen the way they're supposed to." He has served as the team's captain since Sept. 29, 2010 and he's provided the organization with solid leadership. Gionta is currently rehabbing from his biceps tendon surgery.

Brian Gionta (arm) will miss rest of playoffs | 05/08/2013 1:11 PM

News

Brian Gionta has a torn left bicep that requires surgery.

Canadiens.nhl.com on Twitter

Impact

Gionta will not be able to return before the end of Montreal's playoff run. He played in Games 1 and 3, but wasn't available for Montreal's 3-2 overtime loss on Tuesday. The Canadiens are just one loss away from elimination heading into Game 5 on Thursday.

Brian Gionta, Ryan White out on Tuesday night | 05/07/2013 12:49 PM

News

Brian Gionta and Ryan White will not play in Tuesday's Game 4 due to upper-body injuries.

Dave Stubbs on Twitter

Impact

Gionta has been nursing the ailment all postseason while White appeared to suffer his injury Sunday night. Gionta has one assist in two postseason games while White has a goal and 23 penalty minutes in three contests. They'll be replaced by Jeff Halpern and Gabriel Dumont.

Brian Gionta picks up assist in return | 05/06/2013 10:54 AM

News

Brian Gionta got back into Montreal's lineup Sunday night.

Montreal Gazette

Impact

He missed Game 2 because of an upper-body injury. Gionta assisted on the Canadiens' lone goal in Sunday's 6-1 loss to Ottawa and he recorded three shots.

Gionta to particiapte in optional skate | 05/04/2013 11:49 AM

News

Brian Gionta (upper-body injury) is hoping to take part in the Habs' optional skate Saturday afternoon.

Dave Stubbs Twitter

Impact

His condition will be updated thereafter.

Brian Gionta lifts Canadiens to victory | 04/18/2013 10:50 PM

News

Brian Gionta scored two goals for the Canadiens in a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay Thursday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Gionta's power play marker in the game's final minute, his second of the night and 14th of the season, was the game-winner. Alex Galchenyuk also picked up his ninth of the year in the victory.

Max Pacioretty scored his seventh goal and registered his 11th assist of the season. David Desharnais, Brandon Prust, and P.K. Subban each netted a goal for Montreal. Tomas Kaberle, Brendan Gallagher, Alexei Emelin, and Lars Eller each assisted on two of the Canadiens' six goals.